LI2DAY 2017 raises $16,200 for Strength for Life

Strength for Life, a nonprofit organization providing free exercise classes, wellness retreats, nutrition classes and empowerment group sessions for cancer patients, is a beneficiary of the LI 2Day Walk. The LI2DAY was organized to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer and other cancer research, to benefit cancer sufferers, survivors, and their families, and to support organizations that are participating in such efforts.

The LI 2Day which is a 13.1 mile, one day walk was held on June 10th, 2017. The walk takes participants along a scenic route overlooking the Smith Point Beach and then through the local neighborhood. Participants had a wonderful lunch and then head back to Smith Point Bridge in the final procession and celebration of survivors which ends with a closing ceremony.

If you have not had the opportunity to participate or view this awesome event you will be amazed at the emotional celebration of these survivors. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out to become involved, this is an event worth your time and efforts. The next LI2Day will be on June 9th, 2018.

To our friends at LI2Day "Thank you so much for your support of $16,200 this year." As you know this is a tremendous help to our small grass-root nonprofit, and both your faith and support is extraordinary. We have really been able to grow throughout Long Island with your help.

Strength for Life, celebrating its 10th year, currently holds 12 exercise class a week spanning from the Queens border at Northwell Health out to Southampton Hospital, helping a total of 2600 survivors in our short lifetime. And as you may know, we just hosted our 22nd Wellness Retreat on August 5th, 2017 at the Hyatt Windwatch offering 20 new cancer patients/survivors an escape from their daily responsibilities and the opportunity to learn new tools to renew the mind, body and spirit. We also have our empowerment group which meets twice a month, walking groups during good weather and nutrition class.

Strength for Life expanded the programs to pediatric cancer patients and their families in 2016, this has been a slow start but it is gaining momentum. Below are the results of our surveys after the class participation. Unbeknownst to us at the start, the psycho/social aspect of these classes exceeds all expectations.

It is a continued pleasure to work with everyone involved in the LI2Day, from day one we felt welcomed, appreciated and supported in everything we attempted to accomplish, and for that we are grateful.

Thank you so very much Ginny Salerno, Kristie Moore and everyone at LI2Day.

Thank you to our walkers 'our team', our volunteers and our supporters.

You can contact Strength for Life at strengthforLife@optonline.net, or

visit our website www.strengthforlifeNY.org

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." 

~Helen Keller

CYCLE FOR STRENGTH 2017

BARBARA LARREA = INSPRIATION, MOTIVATION, STRENGTH!

Cycle for Strength 2017, the 4th Annual, what an INCREDIBLE event!  Barbara Larrea and the Wantagh World Gym Family really out did themselves this time!  Too many "thank you's" to go through - so many made this event a huge success and Strength for Life is so very grateful for everyone's hard work - ESPECIALLY to Barbara!  Her vision, determination, and commitment is what makes Cycle for Strength an AWESOME event!  

The ride starts with a video montage asking the crowd (95 riders!) questions such as "Why are you here?" "Why do you exist?" "What is your purpose?"  while Barbara voice overs (while spinning!) "the 2 most important days in your life are 1) THE DAY YOU WERE BORN and 2) THE DAY YOU DISCOVER WHY YOU WERE BORN! The moment you find your reason for being, when your "WHY" becomes clear" and then on the big screen you see  "When The WHY is BIG ENOUGH, The HOW is EASY"!  Motivated yet?? How can you not be!? I think many found their purpose through Barbara with Cycle for Strength, raising over $35,000 (so far, still going!) to help those with a cancer diagnosis be "Stronger than Cancer"!

THANK YOU BARBARA LARREA, WANTAGH WORLD GYM, and EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN 'CYCLE FOR STRENGTH' 2017!

On another note....Cycle for Strength raffle money will go to help Makenzie Cadmus, an adorable little girl who has a rare genetic skin disorder called Epidermolysis coincidence.  I had the opportunity to speak with Makenzie's grandma (the whole family was at CFS) and she told me that Makenzie's surgery is on November 13th - Evelyn's Birthday - no coincidence! Evelyn will help this little girl get through all she will endure, I am sure of that!